Who knows TN law?

[ili]

How old does a child have to be to be asked by the court who he or she wants to live with? I have trouble finding anything in TN code annotated.
Is it legal to change your name without marriage or going thru court? We
have a family member who goes by whatever last name she wants to. She
has a problem with honesty and also with paying her bills. Isn't this confusing
to the law, etc.? If she moves and uses a false name and gives this name
to her child there could be a problem locating the child for the purpose of
visitation.

 

[JETX]

How old does a child have to be to be asked by the court who he or she wants to live with?

*** There is no age where a child HAS to be asked. However, per TN Code:
"36-6-106. Child custody.
(7) The reasonable preference of the child if twelve (12) years of age or older. The court may hear the preference of a younger child upon request. The preferences of older children should normally be given greater weight than those of younger children;"

Is it legal to change your name without marriage or going thru court?

*** Depends on what is being done with the name. If she wants to introduce herself to everyone using different surnames, that is not illegal. However, if she tries to use the name LEGALLY (credit, affidavits, licensing, etc.) then her providing any name other than a legally valid one would be illegal.

 

[ili]

Is there a specific law to address the name problem?

Thanks for your input.